Dungeons & Dragons 2003 Core Rulebook Revisions FAQ

[thalmin]

This was over on the WotC site. Nothing that hasn't been posted already.

Why did you decide to revise the rulebooks?

These changes are based on more than two years of player feedback. Comments, requests, and other input from fans let us know that we had a few game elements that needed some revision in order to improve overall gameplay. Since we consider the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game to be a living game that grows with the community, we felt that it was time to compile fan feedback with our own observations and give fans what they needed to play a better D&D game.

Is this a Fourth Edition?

No, absolutely not. This is simply a revision to the existing rules set. Think of it as an upgrade, not a redesign.

Will the revisions look different?

The revised core rulebooks will have new covers, but the style will be similar to the titles released in 2000. They will be instantly recognizable as revisions of each individual book.

Will the current versions of the core rulebooks be available after the new ones are released?

No. Once the revised versions are published, we will no longer reprint and distribute the current versions of the core rulebooks. However, it is important to note that the revisions included in each rulebooks will be fully compatible with existing backlist products. Additionally, each revised core rulebook will include upgrade notes on how to integrate new information into existing campaigns.

Can you give me details on what changes were actually included in each core rulebook?

Wizards of the Coast, Inc., will be releasing specific upgrade details over the months leading up to the release of the revised core rulebooks. Watch for a monthly column in Dragon Magazine and the Wizards of the Coast D&D website for the very latest information as it is released. We can, however, share with you the following overall revisions:

The Player’s Handbook is receiving revisions to character classes to make them more balanced, and there are revisions and additions to spell lists.


The Dungeon Master’s Guide was reorganized to make it more user-friendly. Changes have been made to the item creation rules and pricing, and there are new prestige classes included. There is also expanded advice on how to run a campaign.


The Monster Manual now contains an adjusted layout that makes the monster statistics easier to understand and use. There will be some new illustrations and a new index, and there is now expanded information on monster classes and playing monsters as heroes.

 

[Coriantis]

Do you know if other books will be revised too? Like the FRCS, MM2, class books...

 

[Nightfall]

I think they are only doing the core, Coriant. And that's probably just as well. While I'm not worried after reading the FAQ, I'm still ambivalent about this whole situation. I'm just going with the "wait and see" attitude until I get some more solid info on this stuff.

 

[Sanackranib]

core revision

I wonder how long we will have to wait for 3.1e core rules erratta

 

[thalmin]

Re: core revision

I wonder how long we will have to wait for 3.1e core rules erratta

At least until July, I hope.

 

[John Crichton]

Do you know if other books will be revised too? Like the FRCS, MM2, class books...

There probably won't be a great need. The books will tell how to upgrade things from older material.

 

[Kesh]

I just hope they include some of the 'best of' stuff from the splatbooks. I have no desire to pick up "Sword & Fist" after all the bad reviews, but some of the feats/weapons sound neat.

 

[Ranger REG]

I'm hoping the cavalier prestige class would make it into the revised core rulebooks. It would bring tribute to the 1st edition when the cavalier (then a core class) first appeared in Unearthed Arcana, alongside the barbarian core class.

While we're on it, allow limited weapon specialization (bow and/or crossbow) for the ranger as class feature.

 

[Renaissance Man]

I just hope they include some of the 'best of' stuff from the splatbooks. I have no desire to pick up "Sword & Fist" after all the bad reviews, but some of the feats/weapons sound neat.

Yeah, that'd be sweet. And wouldn't it be nice to see the psionics rules folded in as well?

Here's a question for the FAQ: why, if I don't absolutely need the revised rulebooks, do I feel magically compelled to buy them anyway?

 

[Ranger REG]

To keep up with the everybody else?

To gamegeeks like us, this is our trend, as much as pop culture fans keep up with the latest music and fashion.